Pages

Wednesday, 8 July 2015

Want-away Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling wants to be left out of pre-season tour

Raheem
Sterling has left Brendan Rodgers in no doubt over his determination to
push for a transfer to Manchester City by informing the Liverpool
manager he wants to be left out of the pre-season tour of the Far East
and Australia.

The England forward has held talks with the
Liverpool manager since returning to training on Monday. It is
understood he not only reiterated his desire to leave this summer but
asked to be omitted from the two-week trip to Thailand, Australia and
Malaysia.

Liverpool’s squad depart for Bangkok on Sunday and are not due back on Merseyside until Saturday 25 July.

Sterling’s
hardline stance further demonstrates the breakdown in relations since
the 20-year-old rejected a £100,000-a-week contract extension last
season. It also opens the way for City to make a third offer for the
winger, who is under contract at Liverpool until 2017 on a
£35,000-a-week deal.

Liverpool have not had contact with City
since their second bid was rejected last month, although a fresh
approach is expected soon.

City have had two bids rejected by
Liverpool, a £25m offer rising to £30m plus a £35m rising to £40m
package. The Anfield club value the player at £50m and would want the
bulk of the money up front. Queens Park Rangers, his former club, are
due 20% of any sell-on fee.

Whether Liverpool accede to
Sterling’s request to be left out depends on an acceptable offer
arriving from City before Sunday rather than the player’s wishes.

Rodgers
expects Sterling to travel and play if selected for their first
friendly, in Bangkok on Tuesday, should the situation remain. Luis
Suárez teamed up with Liverpool on their pre-season tour of Australia in
2013 while agitating for a move to Arsenal.

Despite their
current stance, Liverpool are considering alternatives should the
England forward eventually complete a move to the Etihad Stadium. The
Barcelona winger Pedro is a possible target despite only recently
signing a four-year contract with the European champions.

Denis
Cheryshev, the Real Madrid winger who spent last season on loan at
Villarreal, is another option that appeals to the Liverpool manager.

Rodgers
also hopes to add the Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke to his
squad before the start of the campaign, irrespective of whether Sterling
stays or goes.